Trapped key signal transmitter and valve control means



Jllme 16, 1931. j. Q NOLEN 1,810,323

` TRAPPED KEY SIGNAI; TRANSMITTER AND VLVE CONTROL MEANS INVENTOR Jl-1ne16, 1931.

J. G. NOLEN TRAPPED KEY SIGNAL TRANSMITTER AND VALVE CONTROL MEANS FiledNov. 11I 19g-5 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 NNN WS INVENTOR Jme JVoZen,

"INN

M AN @NN Nm em 9. @MA/m7 NNN J. G. NOLEN June 16, 1931,

TRAPPED KEY SIGNAL TRANSMITTER AAND VALVE CONTROL MEANS 1925 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. ll

APatented v.lime 1.6, 1,931`r JAMES G. MOLEN, .on

Yeast, :it-Y., assigner.. To manier-VL, ifi-annecy; on i"cnnntorrssvrtnn, vrnemia PATENT? TRAPPED KEY SEGNALQTRANSMETTER ANBULVEik CONTROL MEANS Application lec'femher This invention relates 'tokey-controlled electrical signal .transmitters "and keycon-4 trolledWithout any conduct-ing Wires or other material' connection between thetwo@y v Gther objects of the invention areteprol vide animprovedkey=centrolled and keycontrolling signaltransmitter andtoprovide ai key-controlled device adapted Vfor trapping ttbekey thereinVunder predetermined known circumstances. t 'i j y .Y f l Other objectsof 'the invention are to' im- Vprove 'generally the simplicity, andeiiiciency "ofjsnchA devices land to kprovide devicesor apparatuses ci'this `kind whichV are reliable, dnrabie and economical to manufacture. yStill other objects cf the invention will appear as thedescriptio-n'proceeds; and While herein 'detailsof the inventioniaredescribed, the invention is not limited ytoV these since manyandvaricusfchanges may be madevvithont departing fromy the scope'of theinvention asclaimed.V t

The .inventive ieatures'for the accomplish-l mentor"v these and 'otherobjectsare shown herein inconnection with an improved control apparatnswhich, briefiystated, includes a sprinkler system rhaving a# normally;`open main valve or Water gate havingv a key-con trolled lock for1iockinglthe valve in `normally open position, said lock releasing thekey When said valve is locked in said normallyk open position andtrappingth'e kevy inthe lock when said valve V*is not in sai normalposition; and a transmitter for send1ngs1gnalsto a supervisoryl stationor oiiice and' adapted to receive said key for trappingthe key in thetransmitter andi sending Vone kind otk-signal showing ythat they keyistrapped, and with means'for releasing the key and send- Vinganother kindof signaly as thekey is 're'- leased. .Y y

i' vertical sect-ion showing i1, ieee. semi no. eaes.

Thus when a signal has been received shovvf .ing that the key has been'trapped in the trans-y mitter, but no signal has yet been receivedshowing kthat the'key has been released, itis `known at kthe otcethatthe key' is trapped'in the transmitter and, therefore, thatthe valveYVis locked open, since thekey cannot be released from the lock exceptwhen the valve is lockedfopen. Y j Y e ,f

" When for any reasen, as for instance, after a iire, it is necessaryto'close the valve, the keyk cannot be removed from'the transmitterWith'-y ent vsending a signal that it vis being released.

Thus the ofiice is advised' Whenever the key is remcved to close thevalve, rand againwhen the valvey has been locked openandthekey reriacedVin the transmittt-nV nthe accompanying drawings, showing by tvay ofexample, two oi many'possiblejenr bodiments of the invention, f' Bv 1 14:

v igi 1s a fragmentai sine elevation showing a sprinklerjsystem withthekeycon-y troiied lock applied thereto;

Fig. 2 isa'centra'l vertical sectionalrvievv,

partly in elevation, sh'cwingthe valve rod and Wieel andthelocktherefor;`l

fFig. 3 is sideeievatiompartly in central `one form offth'e transmitter;f f ig. i4 gis a.' `fragmental front "elevaticn, .partly inV section onthe' line {if-ifo 'Figi-3, shcwing` the transmitter ,c control ineansg"fig; is ka A'trent'elevation, parti y in se" t' showing thekevtransmitter; 4 1

Fig. 6 .is an4 exterior rontelevationfofithe reiismtffr; and, A

- 'I is a front elevatienshowing another form of transmitter controlmeans.,y j e My transmitter and;1 valve VcontroiV means -receiving'means ot the on' on the line' ,5i-5' of Eig. i3, e

connection withk a-sprinkler syst'eminclndjing a. supplymain 10, arisen-l1,service/pipes 12 having Vsprinkler headsjlland a main `ivatervalve ergate having aA seat'l von which Ais mounted a bracket Y17 'lhaving a'flinb i8 (Fig-4:2) having a boss 19 onfivhich is received 'a"valve Wheely 2O having `a-hnbi22 The 'valve control means Said threadedrod is provided with a recess 31 alined with a radial bore 32 of thebracket, when the rod 30 is in normal open position.

A ylock housing 35 secured fast on said bracket by means of an extension36 and Screws 37 carries a bolt 38 slidable through said housing andradial bore 32 and into said recess 31 and having an intermediate lug 39engageable in a notch 40 of said plate 27.

A pin 45 fast across the housing is received in a longitudinal slot 46oit' the bolt; and tumblers 47 pivotally mounted on the bolt anddownwardly pressed by springs 48 have usual locking slots 49 receivingsaid pin.

Said housing is provided with an upwardlyy inclined key hole 50positioned 'to receive a key 51 in position to engage in an invertedV-shaped notch 51 in the lower edge of the bolt to unlock the bolt andraise the tumblers to permit the key and bolt to move the key tounlocking position with the key out of register with the keyhole.

` The keyhole is too near to the adjacent walls 52 and 53 of the housingto permit a complete rotation of the key, whereby when the key is inunlocking position in the lock and said screw rod 30 is moved to carrythe recess 31 out of register with the bolt 32, said bolt and key areheld in unlocking position and the key is trapped in the lock.

Iniview of the above, it will be seen that onlywhen therod 30 is in openposition may the key be removed to Wind up and be trapped in thetransmitter to permit sending a signal to the central station to showthat said main valve is locked in open position.

T he transmitter They transmitter of Figs. 3 to 6 is mounted on aporcelain base 60 (Fig. 3) and includes a clockwork 61 similar to thatshown in my U. S. Patent No. 1,082,606, issued Dec. 30, 1913, fora'supervisory alarm system. As

vherein shown this clockwork comprises a Von the arbor and an escapementwheel 69 engaging a pallet 70 are connected by intermediate gears 71 onan intermediate shaft 7 2.

The clockwork as above described is almost identical with that of thepatent except that the spring is secured to the post and a pawl andratchet mechanism 73, 74 is bracket 82 on the clockwork and having a penengaging said transmitting wheel are also the same vas in said patent,and operate in the same Way for sending a signal to a. centralsupervisory station.

A transmitter housing 85 is mounted on said base over said clockwork andis provided in its outer wall 86 with a downwardly pointing keyhole 87receiving the extended end 87 of the Winding arbor 66; and inner andouterfspaced plates 88 and 89 between and spaced from said clockwork andouter wall provide an inner transmitter control compartment 90 and a keycontrol compartment 91.

The key receiving means A key receiving disk in the key controlcompartment fast on the arbor adjacent to said outer plate 89 carries amovable ward 96 adapted to receive a cut 97 in the key bit 98 of the key51, and a recess 99 outside of the ward adapted to receive a projection100 near the end of the bit, whereby the disk and arbor may be rotatedand the spring wound up. A fixed Ward 101 on said outer wall 86 is adated to be received in an outer edge cut 102 o the bit. f The wards 96and 101 may be omitted if desired.

Apivot pin 105 (Fig. 5) mounted on said outer plate near the peripheryof said disk and the path of the end of the key bit carries a pluralityoftumblers 106 intermediately fulcrumed on said pin and provided at theforward ends with Vforwardly opening slots 107 and engageable at therear ends 108 by the key bit to aline said slots just before the limitof movement yof the key bit about 180 degrees from the keyhole, wherebysaid slots may receive a projection 110 thereby to permit said key toreach said limit and to prevent the key and disk from reaching saidlimit when the slots are not thus alined. l An upstanding bracket plate111 mounted on said outer plate carries flat springs 112 pressing uponsaid tumblers respectively for pressing said rear ends 108 into the pathof said bit and into engagement with said movable ward, therebyyieldably holding said slots 107 normally out of alinement.

tionally pivotally mounted on a lbase Washer 120 andfprovidedvvith amotive arm 121 disposed, over Vthe edge of a control ldisk 122-fast'ponsaid'arbor and carrying `a releasing pin 123 on the margin ofsaid disk adapted v to engage said motive arm 121 when they key moves tothe position 985 about 180 degrees from the y'keyhole position98athereby to remove said active arm-118 from the path of f saidWeightfto release the clockwork to rcause the key to move back towardthe lkeyhole and tojcausethe s'endingof'ttvo signals 'by the signalWheel 80.5 n

n ,Theta/.trapping means --Ayieldable lever 125 'pivoted'as l(1t-126 onsaid inner plate is'provided `with a stop arm 1,27 adapted -to move intothe path of said 'Weight 117 and AWithafcam arm 128 having a `V cam end129 Vpressed by the `spring 180 against the periphery of the controldisk 122,V

thereby to hold said stopy arm 127 from said path. Said end 129isadapted to move, under the action of the spring 127, into a peripherall1'ioteh`181a`ofthe disk 122 lafter the key alV has moved about A120degrees and twosignals have'been sent, thereby to movefsaid stop arm 127into said path-and stop the clockwork p Lio,

With the key held trapped at the position 98eV about degreesfromithekeyhole, said two signals indicating at thercentral oihce that the keyis thus trapped.

. Y The key releasing means 'A' releasingarm 133 Jfast on said yieldable:lever with its out-er 'end 134' projecting through thehousing may bemanipulated to l'removesaid-stop arm 127 fromfsaid pathto permit thekeybit" to move to register'ivith the keyhole, Where it mayL be removed,and

to Vpermit the clockwork to send another ksignal-to shovt7V that the keyhas been released. Y Afstop pin 135 onsaid'control disk about l180degrees 'from the releasing pin 123 is 'adapted to engage said motivearm 121 to shiftsaid active arm 118 into said path toV stop theclockwork when the key bit reaches releasring position 98avinvregistrationV WithI the keyhole.

Transmitter control means of Fig. Y

" VIn Fig.'7 is shown form of inventiony adapted for use Withthetransmitterof the Vabove named patent 'with very slight change,

Work and a signal transmitter are similar to that of Fig. 3 except'thatthe plates 88 and 89 and fthe parts vcarried thereby arefomitted and'the'winding andunwinding arbor 166 -hasfasquared end 167 and theclockwork has `a vibrating member 168 on thepall'et staff inv171Ja1linedwith said ,squared end 167 and' adapted to receive a keyhaving a squared rhole Y 172 adapted to be kreceived on saidmsquaredend. f i Y u A.' pivoted dog 175 pivotally mounted `direct on the pillarplate 63 provided with an active arm 17 (Shaving bifurcations 177 one ofwhich Visnormally inthe path of a doyvnturned end 178 of Vsaid -member168, and a motive arm 180 adaptedy to be engagedby said bit 98'When thekey reaches its inner limitof rotation 9811, .thereby to remove saidkbifurcations of the. active arm from said pathto permit the transmitterto send asignal. rTumblers 183 pivoted on said motive arm 180v areprovided with .slots 18stV and ,are engageable. by thev bit `to.position said slots in position to receive a pin 185 fixed on said topivot.

Key trapping ami releasing means A yieldable lever 185 intermediatelypivclockvvorkfto permit the dog f Y oted asiat 186 hasastop arm 187adapted to move into Athepathsof said-,end i178 and :a

spring 189 having 1a cam end 190A adapted i tobe engaged by` the bit 98after said signal has been sent, therebyto movesaid stop arm 187 againstthe actionot the Weakspring'lQl into saidzpath. and stop the clockworkYWith the key held trapped at the position 98e (Fig. f7) out oitregistrationjivith the keyhole 171. A releasing pin 193 .fslidable in avblock 194:

mounted on thecasingwall is adapted to press upon .the lever 185toremove the stop arm 187 from said path to permit the key to move theclockwork to send another signal and to move the key toxreleasingposition iii-registration Operation ofthe system Normally the valve islocked open andthe key istrappedf in the transmitter.; `llVhen the keyis removed fromthe transmitter-to .close the gate,. aV signal` 1svautomatically sent to thel oilice advisingo thiszfact,aand when thekey: is vreturned -to .the transmitter, a signal is againsent.v 1 'KOperation of theoalve @0f/tro?` A,

The valve is normally open Withtheparts as shown in Fig. 2"eXcept thatthe keyvis removed4 Vand-'locked .in `'the transmitter. Vhen kcuts 97the valve must be closed, the key is ltaken from the transmitter, aswill be explained, inserted in the keyhole (Fig. 2), and turned backabout 90 degrees, thus raising the tumblers, carrying the bolts andtumblers back and leaving the key in the lock, as'the key cannot make acomplete rotation.

This movement withdraws the bolt 32 from the recess 31, and the lug 39from the notch 40, permitting the wheel to be rotated and the recess 31to move out of alinement with the bolt thus preventing forward movementof the bolt and key and preventing removal of the key. Thus when thevalve is in closed position, the key must be in the lock and cannot bein the transmitter.

lVhen the valve may again be opened, the wheel is rotated to raise therod 30 and to bring the recess 31 and notch 40 into registration withthe bolt 32 and lug 39 respectively, permitting the key and boltv to bemoved forward to lock the rod and wheel and to permit the key to beremoved and replaced in the transmitter.

Operation of the transmitter controllerl means of Figs. 3 to 6 Asstated, the main valve of the sprinkler is normally open and all partsof the valve operating means are as shown in Fig. 2, except that the keyhas been removed, and is trapped in the transmitter in the position of98o of Figs. 4 and 5.

In this position of the key, the notch 131, the cam end 121, the stoparm 127 and the activey arm 118 have the positions of the dotted linesof Fig. 4, whereby the weight 117 is heldfrom vibration by the stop arm127, but is not interfered with by the arm 118.

Releasing the key If for any reason, as for instance, ust after a fire,it is necessary to close the valve, the supervisory station or otlicemust be informed, and the attendant is compelled to inform the oiicebefore he closes the valve, since it is not possible to remove the keyfrom the transmitter Without sending a signal.

When it is necessary to remove the key from the transmitter, theattendant merely presses upon the projecting end 134 (Fig. 4) of thereleasing arm, thus moving the stop arm 127 from the portion of thedotted lines in path of the weight 117 to the position of the full linesoutside of said path, thus releasing the clockwork and permitting thearbor and key to move from the position 98o to 98a, the signaltransmittingwheel 8() makingV one rotation, since it has six times thespeed of the arbor, and sending one signal to the office showing thatthe key has moved to the position 98a and may be removed for closing thevalve.

When the key reaches the position 98a, the pin 135 engages the motivearm 121 and moves the arms 118fand 121 from the position of the dottedlines to the position of the solid lines, thus stopping the clockworkwith the key in the position of 98a.

. The key may now be removed for closing the valve asfwill beexplained.y The .attendant is required to reopen the valve as soon aspossible, and as soon as the valve has been reopened, he will wish toadvise the oiice of this fact, which he does by reinserting and trappingthe key.

I nsertz'n g and trapping the key The key is inserted in the keyhole,with the projection 100 (Fig. 3) engaging in the recess99. The key isthen moved from the position 98a to the position 98?), thus moving thenotch from the position 131a past the position 131e to the position 1311whereby 'the stop arm 127 is heldin the osition of the solid lines,while the pin 123 Fig. 4) moves into engagement with the motive arm 121,thus moving the active arm 118 to the position of the dotted lines,releasing the clockwork, permitting the movement of the key to theposition 98o, the notch to the position 1310 and the stop arm 127 to theposition of the dotted lines under the act-ion of the spring 130, thustrapping the key. During thisk movement the signal transmitting wheelrotates twice sending two signals, thus showing that the key is trapped,and that the valve is locked open.

Operation of the tumblers As the key moves to the position of 98?), thekey bit engages the ends 108 (Fig. 5) of the tumblers, and if the rightkey is used, the slots y107 become alined for they reception of theprojection 110. If a false key is used, the slots 107 will not be alinedfor the reception of the projection 110 and the pin 123 (Fig. 4) cannotmove far enough to cause the arm 118 to release the clockwork. As thearbor and key will then be held against backward rotation by the pawland ratchet 73, 74 (Fig. 3, the false key will be trapped and no signalvwill be sent.V As it will be noticed at the olice that no signal hasbeen received, investigation will be made and the attempt to use a falsekey will be disclosed.

Obviously either the wards or the tumblers or both may be omitted ifdesired.

Operation of the control means of Fig. 7

yThe key is normally trapped in the transmitter in the position of 98o(Fig. 7) with the cam end 190 andthe stop arm 187 in the position of thedotted lines. To release the key, they attendant presses inwardly thepin 193, thus moving the lever 185 and the arm 187 against the action ofthe spring 189 to the position of the solid lines, the cam end 19()remaining substantially in the position of the dotted lines. The pin 193is thus held in untillthe clockwork, whichis thus released, 1 moves thekey bit ypast the cam-end 190 until it comes into registration kwith thekeyhole and Vagainst the restoringy arm `197,'thiis moving one of theprongs 177 into the path of the downtiirned end '17 8 to stop theclockwork after `the latter has caused the sending of one signal toshow' that the key has been moved to' releasing `position to be removed.

After'th'e key Vhas been used, it is reinserted in the keyhole171 andthe bit moved past the position 980 to near thevsposition 98?) where itencounters theitumblers 183 and positions vthe vslots 183 to'receive thepin'v185 as thekey bit engages the motive arm 180 to positionthel prongs177 out of turned end 178.

' This releases the. clockwork and permits thev sending of two signalsas the rbit moves to the position 9,80 and engages the camy end 190 thepath of the downto move ysaid-,stopy arm 187 into saidv path to with thekey` trapped in means is locked in one position and trapping the keykwhen said means is not in said position; and signal means controlled bythe key for trapping the key and giving one kind of signal when the keyis trapped and another` kind of signal when the key'is released.

2. In combination, a sprinkler system; a mainvalve for said system; akey-controlled lock for locking said valve in one position;

said lock including means releasing the key` when said valve is lockedin said position and trapping the keyinthe lock'when said valve is notin said position; and means for giving a ysignal adapted to receive saidkey and adapted to trap the key inthe signal means andto send a signalwhen thekey is trapped,

and adapted to release the key and send -another signal when the keyisreleased.

3. In combination, a valve; a key-controlled lock for locking said valvein one position; said lock including lmeans releasing the key whensaidvalve is locked insaid position and trappingthe key in the lock whensaid means is not in said f position; and signal means for givingfasignal adapted to receive said key and adapted to trap the key in thesignal means and to give a signal when the key is trapped, and adaptedto release the key and give another signal when the key is released. v

e. In comblnatwn; a central means; a key.

controlled lock for'locking said means'in; oneposition; said lockincluding means releasing the key 4when said means is locked insaidposition and trapping the key iny thel lock- When said means is notin said position; and signal means for giving a signal adapted to lreceive said key vand adapted totrap the key in the signal means and tovsendione kind of message when the key is trapped, and adapt-v ed torelease the key and send'vanother vkind of Vmessage whenthe keyisreleased.Y

45.In combination, .a :sprinkler system having a valve; Aa key;,akey-controlled lock forlocking the valve in normally'open position; saidlock including means releasing the key when,- said `valve is lockedinsaid'norf mally openpositionand trapping the key in thelock whensaidvalve is not lin said nor-k mal position; and a transmitter forsending a messageand adapted to receive-said key; said transmitter beingprovided with means for .trapping the key in the-transmitter andsendingone kind of signal when the key L,is

trapped,` and with means fory leasing the key and sending another kindof signal whenthe key is released.V

. 6. In combination, asignal transmitter comprising a main windingarborfa spring having its inner end secured tothe arbor andhavingofixedl. anchorageat the outer-end; a

mainfdrive gear loose on the-arbor, avi-v brating member and .aV pawland f ratchet mechanism between the arbor anddrive gear; av housing,over rksaid transmitter provided V with a keyhole; a .key-receiving faston.,

the arbor providedwith a'recess toy receivea projection 4on the key;ytumblers yprovided withslots, and engageable by the bit l`'to posi-oYtion said slots; a projection on said disk f adapted to enter saidslotsto permit said keyr to reach its sai-d limit of movement; and controljmeans engageablef'withfsaid vibrating member. y s l. ,n 7 In,combinationp a signal transmitter, comprising :a windingand unwindingarbor,

and a vibrating member; a housing for said transmitter'provided with akeyhole in itsl outer wall; a key receiving disk control compartmentfasten.y the arborlprovided withal o movableward adapted` to receive acut inthe key bit,`and .a key receiving recess outside of.V

the ward adapted to receive a projection near theend ofthe bit, wherebythe arbor may 1be,V

wound np; arfiXed wardfon'saidlouter wall adapted to bey received .inanputer edge out ofthe bit; and means actuated by the arbor adaptedwhenthe keyy reaches. its inner limit to cause said transmitter tosignalfand to stop,

thetransmitter when the key reaches releasing position.,

.8. In combination, ja.A signal transmitterVVV c omprising a windingandnnwinding arborp,

and a vibratingmember;a housing y:torfsaid ktransmitter provided withyakeyhole; a key-v iaeires; 'riet fast @e the arteria-eist said arborprovided withl a notch; a pivoted dog normally in the path of saidmember; a releasing pin on the disk adapted to engage said dog when thekey reaches its inner limit of rotation, thereby to remove said dog fromsaidpath; a lever pressing on the disk to hold said lever from saidpath, and adapted to move into said notch, after a signal has been sent,thereby to move said lever into said path and trap the key; releasingmeans to remove said lever from said path to permit the key to move andthe clockwork to send another signal; and a stop pinV on said controldisk to engage said dog to stop the clockwork when the key reachesreleasing position.

9. In combination, av signal transmitter comprising 'a winding andunwinding arbor and a movable member; a control disk on said arborrovided with a notch; a pivoted dog providled with a motive arm and withan active -arm normally in the path of said member; a releasing pin onthe control disk to engage said motive arm when the key reaches saidlimit, thereby to remove said active arm from said path; a yieldablelever having a stop arm adapted to move into said path and a campressing on the control disk, thereby toV hold said Vstop arm from saidpath, and adapted vto move into said notch, after signals have beensent, thereby to move said stop arm into rsaid path and stop theclockwork with the key held trapped; releasing Vmeans to re'-V move thelstop arm from said path to permit the key lto lmove the clockwork tosend an,

other signal; and a stop pin on said control disk to engage said motivevarm to stop the clockwork when the key reaches releasing position.

10. In combination, a valve; a key-controlled lock for locking saidvalve and Vfory releasi'nor the key of the lock when said valve islockeda in one position and trapping the key when said valve is not insaid position; and signal meansadapted to trap said key and controlledby said key only, for giving a signal whenever the key is untrapped fromsaid means. f

11. yIn combination, al key-controlled lock adapted for releasing thekey of saidV lock when the bolt of lock is locked in one position andtrapping the key when said bolt is not in said position; and signalmeans adapted to trap said keyv and controlled by said key only, forgiving a signal when the key is untrapped from said means. f Y

12. In combination, a key-controlled lock adapted for releasing vthe keyof the lock when the bolt 'of'said lock is locked in one position andtrapping the key when said bolt is not in said position, and signalmeans adapted'to trap said key and controlled by the key only, forgivinga signal when the key is being trapped in said means.

13. In combination, a key-controlled means for releasing" the key ofsai-d (means, when said means is locked in a certain position andtrapping said key when said means is not in said certain position; and asignal means controlled by said key for trapping and releasing-the keyand giving one kind of signal when the key is trapped and another kindof signal whenever the key becomes released; the occurrence of thetrapping signal and the failure of the occurrence of the releasingsignal to occur positively indicating that said key-controlled means islocked in said certain osition. v

14. In com ination, a key-controlled means for releasing the key of saidmeans, when said means is locked in a certain position and trapping saidkey when said means is not in said certain position; and anintermittentcurrent code-signal means controlled by said key fortrapping and releasing the key and positively indicating that saidkey-controlled meansis locked in said certain position.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this10th day of November A'. D. 1925.

- JAMES G. NOLEN.

